Music Keyboard Questions

“Which keyboard lasts the longest?”

Question/ Hi Graham,

How long does a keyboard last? Does it mean that a yamaha would last longer than a casio? Which keyboard lasts the longest? Just when I thought that, since I will be migrating, I will give this keyboard to my mother, it stopped playing.

I thank you very much for your help. Even though I will investigate from one of the local dealers the cost of repairing it, I rather buy a new one. I have proven over the years that most of the repairers here tend to repair things to last for a short period of time, because they make more money by repairing the same thing more than once.

I will be taking the keyboard out of its storage area, give it two whacks, blow in it to see if dust is inside, then plug the adaptor in the electrical outlet. If it does not make a sound when I turn it on, I am going to sing, ‘Meet Me By the River Someday’ or some other funeral songs, then place it back in the storage area.

Anways take care.

Patricia

Answer/ Hi Patricia

Yamaha and Casio keyboards are of the same quality in my opinion. I hope your keyboard magically starts working again so your mother can start playing soon.

Regards

 

“When I turn on my keyboard, the light doesn’t come on”

Question/ Hi Graham,

I have noticed that something strange has happened to my keyboard. I had left it on the table for some days uncovered, and now, when I turn it on, the light is not coming on. Nothing is wrong with the adaptor, because the light on it is working.

Could it be that it is the end of the life of the keyboard, or dust is in it? Maybe, I should take better care of it.

What do you think is wrong with it?

Patricia

Answer/ Hi Patricia
It sounds like it is at the end of its life.

If you take it down to your local music shop they
might be able to put you in touch with a keyboard
repairer. Get an estimate first though because it
could be more expensive to get it repaired than
the keyboard is actually worth.

Regards,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

 

“What’s the difference between a keyboard and a digital piano?”

A KEYBOARD usually has 61 keys. It’s much smaller
and lighter than a digital piano. And you can carry
it under your arm.

The key touch is much lighter compared to an acoustic
or digital piano.

You also get hundreds of instrumental voices, percussion
sounds and effects.

A DIGITAL PIANO is designed to replicate the sound
and touch of an acoustic piano.

A digital piano’s key touch is heavier and has more
resistance than a keyboard.

Most digital pianos have a substantial wooden cabinet.
This cabinet holds the keys, music rest, electronics,
speakers and pedals…

So the overall weight is substantially more than a
keyboard. But still 3-5 times lighter than an
acoustic piano.

 

Hello Graham,

I was wondering if you can help me answer a few questions.
I am taking up piano lessons soon at a beginners level.
Iwould like to buy a yamaha keyboard (as i cant quite afford to buy an upright piano for the time-being).

I want to hopefully not spend more than £600-£800 on the keyboard.
Can you tell me the difference between a electronic keyboard and a digital piano?

Which one would you recommend?

I know the touch sensitivity keys is very important, does low buget keyboards have this feature at a quality level?

Many thanks!

Reply/

Hi Sam

The differences between keyboards and digital pianos are:

1) Keyboards have much lighter weight keys than digital pianos

2) Keyboards usually have 61 keys versus 88 keys for pianos

3) Keyboards have hundreds of sound and buttons.

4) Keyboards have much smaller speakers which results in a thin sound

It is FAR better to go for a digital piano than a
keyboard. Especially if you are a beginner…

Your fingers need to get used to a fully-weighted
piano key right from your first lesson.

The best piano in the £600 to £800 price range is,
without doubt, the Broadway B1.

The Broadway B1 has a fully-weighted touch that
feels close to a real piano. It also has a good,
realistic piano sound.

The speaker power is 2 x 15 watts. This is almost
double that of other pianos in the same price range.

It also has the following positive attributes:

Slim line cabinet (takes up less space)
Headphone connections (for silent practice)
USB (connect to your computer)
Metronome
Record and play-back

It also comes with a 3 year warranty. This includes
all parts and labour. Pianos are repaired in your home.

You can read more about the Broadway B1 here:
www.ukpianos.co.uk/broadway-b1

Regards,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

 

“I’m looking to buy a second hand keyboard for my 9 and 10 year old boys”

Question/ Hello there

I am emailing you from New Zealand. I have a 9 and a 10 year old boy and I am wanting to get them started on Piano Lessons, so am presently looking to buy a second hand keyboard – or something that they can start on. I have found a CASIO CPS-50 Keyboard on trademe and I am wondering if this would be a suitable option for them to start on – seems to be a bigger keyboard than the Yamaha PSR175 that I am looking at too. Do you have any advice for me – please help!

Thanks in advance for any help that you may be able to give me on this.

Warmest wishes, Pam Hanretty

Answer/ Hi Pam

I am not sure which models are available in New Zealand but the Yamaha PSR175 is probably too basic to start with. You really need a keyboard with touch sensitive keys (this means that the harder you press on the key, the louder the sound). I recommend to buy the Yamaha PSR295 or PSR293.

Ideally you should consider buying a digital piano rather than an electronic keyboard. Digital pianos are designed to feel and sound like the real thing – of course they cost a lot more though.

Regards,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

 

“Can you recommend a touch sensitive keyboard with the best ‘touch’ for piano?”

Question/ Hello UK Pianos.

I bought a Roland EP760 from you 4 years ago on your advice (I had a new job as a peripatetic piano teacher) I have found it excellent, but would also like a smaller 61 key similar quality keyboard that’s lighter and less cumbersome to take around schools. I have been unable to find any digital pianos that size, but wondered if you could recommend a touch sensitive keyboard with the best ‘touch’ for piano. Thank-you, Sally Bryant.

Answer/ Hi Sally. It is nice to hear from you again.

If you want a 61 key keyboard with touch sensitive keys,
and is light and easy to carry around, I recommend the Casio
LK93.

The Casio LK93 has a good weight of key – not as heavy
as a digital piano – but certainly one of the heaviest touches
out of the electronic keyboards I have tried.

This keyboard also has the keylighting function that can
be turned on, or off.

Regards,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos